Changes in the book world and what to read after Normal People
Hey readers!
I haven’t done much book reading this week, but it’s still felt like a very bookish week. I’ve spent a lot of time on the phone and in video chats with my colleagues discussing what books we want to teach next year. I feel extremely lucky that, for the most part, my department is acknowledging where we need to do better both in terms of diversifying our booklists and in terms of how we talk about the books we teach. While my department and my school have a long way to go, it gives me hope to be making changes in an area I can control and ones that can have meaningful impact for my BIPOC students.
I’ve also spent this week watching conversations unfold about the lack of diversity in the publishing world. It’s been promising to see publishers declare their intentions to increase BIPOC representation in their books and on their teams. We’ll have to wait to see if they follow through, but I’m hopeful that there are thousands of readers who will now be holding them accountable.
This week in books.
This week I read…
White Fragility by Robin DiAngelo. This was a long overdue read for me, and I don’t really have a review to offer except that, if you’re white, especially if you’re white in America, especially if you’re white in America and view yourself as progressive, you should really read this book. It’s a very careful examination of how white people’s avoidance of talking about race or even thinking of ourselves in racial terms perpetuates racist power structures. I want to read Me and White Supremacy by Layla F. Saad next because it’s actually a sort of workbook that you “do” rather than read, and I think I need to engage in more intentional personal reflection to hold myself accountable. Amazon | Bookshop
Now I’m reading…
The Confessions of Frannie Langton by Sara Collins. I’m still just getting into this one. It’s the story of a Jamaican maid in Victorian London who’s accused of murdering her employers. I can tell I’m going to love this book, I’ve just had a hard time focusing lately. Amazon | Bookshop
On my to-be-read pile…
Stamped from the Beginning by Ibram X. Kendi. I’m participating in an Instagram readalong for this one as well as reading alongside some members of my department. I was blown away by the YA version and I'm eager to learn more. Amazon | Bookshop
The Dragons, The Giant, The Women by Wayétu Moore. Moore’s memoir about her childhood as a refugee from war in Liberia has gotten rave reviews. Amazon | Bookshop
Recipe for Persuasion by Sonali Dev. Dev’s second Austen retelling sounds like it could be a perfect pairing for an upcoming Novel Pairings episode. Amazon | Bookshop
Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi. This will be a third read for me, but I want to make sure it will work to add it to my sophomore curriculum. Amazon | Bookshop
7 books to read after you’ve devoured Normal People
So you’ve read, watched, and adored Normal People…now what? I get this request a lot both on Instagram and in real life. Sally Rooney’s writing is crisp and evocative and her characters are singular and real. Those qualities aren’t hard to find in fiction, but for some reason she remains somewhat of an anomaly and many readers are still chasing that Normal People feeling. Here are SEVEN books I’d recommend to fill the void.
Top Pick: The Mothers by Brit Bennett. For a poignant look at grief and first love, and a deep contemplation on circumstance and choice. Amazon | Bookshop
Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. For a love story of two people who fall together and apart and—just maybe—together again. Amazon | Bookshop
The Burning Girl by Claire Messud. For a gripping and honest look at teenage girlhood and the intensity of female friendships. Amazon | Bookshop
Fates and Furies by Lauren Groff. For a highly stylized novel with deeply real and unlikable characters that reveals there are two sides to any relationship. Amazon | Bookshop
On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous by Ocean Vuong. For raw, yet lyrical writing and an arresting story of coming out and coming-of-age. Amazon | Bookshop
Seating Arrangements by Maggie Shipstead. For a literary page turner with sharp writing, lots of sex, and rich people behaving badly. Amazon | Bookshop
The Virgins Pamela Erens. For an ill-fated boarding school romance and a depiction of teenage lust that bears striking resemblance to Rooney’s work. Amazon | Bookshop
Bookish reading.
LitHub compiled their ultimate summer 2020 reading list this week. I love this compilation because they look at all the other summer reading lists and then tell you which books shows up on multiple lists and how many.
#PublishingPaidMe revealed many egregious discrepancies in how BIPOC authors are paid compared to white writers. This article about the practice of using “comp titles” to determine an author’s advance may partially explain, though not justify, why.
This article about how the New York Times bestseller list works, why it matters, and how it disenfranchises writers of color is an extremely important read. If you want to learn more about bestseller lists in general, check out this Vox article from a few years ago.
Read It Forward’s list of books to read during (this very strange) Pride 2020 is fantastic and includes some new works alongside some classics.
Here’s another great list of books to read during Pride and all year long.
Aja Romano’s piece about JK Rowling’s transphobic comments and how/whether to maintain the fandom while reckoning with the author’s views is one of the best takes on this that I’ve read.
Nic Stone’s words about why it’s so important to not just read antiracist literature, but to read Black stories that feature joy, adventure, and just living is inspiring for me as a teacher and a reader.
I hadn’t heard of a single book on this list of South Asian literature that needs more attention, which shows a real weak spot in my reading.
This list of Black sci-fi and fantasy books is great to get you started if you’re interested. I also highly recommend following @beingabookwyrm on Instagram for ongoing recs.
Book Riot also has a list of 6 books to read after Normal People, as does Read It Forward. We only have two overlaps combined so you’ll leave this newsletter with 17 total recommendations.
End notes.
Watching: The Sopranos. I’d never seen it before and having a seasons deep show to binge is great right now.
Listening: Running from COPS. I actually listened to this podcast a while ago, but having never watched the show Cops (which was just canceled this week), I was shocked to learn how much it’s shaped America’s culture and view of the police. It’s honestly frightening how much power this TV show has had for so many decades.
I hope you’re all staying safe and well this week. Until next week, all the best and happy reading!
Sara
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